Big Wolverine group heads to state track

STATE CENTER –  Dike-New Hartford track and field will compete in a total of 18 events based on performances at the co-ed state-qualifying track and field meet at West Marshall High School last Friday.
  
The D-NH girls qualified in eight events, automatically qualifying as top-two finishers in State Center in seven of them.
  
On the boys' side, D-NH heads to state in 10 events with eight automatic qualifiers and good seed times to threaten for a top-3 trophy at the end of the week.
  
"The level of competition as we enter this part of the season keeps getting better and better," D-NH head coach Will Reingardt said. "More and more teams put things together, so we have to keep rising to the occasion."
 
D-NH boys qualifiers
High jump: Dane Fuller
400 hurdles: Grant Bixby
Long jump: Parker Kiewiet
110 high hurdles: Seth Eden
4x200: Cade Fuller, Bixby, Ryan Moore, Kiewiet
4x400: R. Moore, Derek Kinney, Bixby, Kiewiet
4x800: Conlee Lyons, Nathan Moore, Sawyer Loger, Kinney
Distance medley: D. Fuller, Drew Sonnenberg, Kinney, R. Moore
Shuttle hurdle: C. Fuller, Bixby, Ely Sohn, Eden
Sprint medley: Cade Bennett, C. Fuller, R. Moore, Kiewiet
 
TIME FOR BUSINESS: The D-NH girls are looking to score some points at the state meet, and they've got the times to make it happen.
 
Alexis Jensen won a district title in the 400-meter dash, Taylor Kvale won the 800-meter run and the 4x400 and sprint medley relays automatically qualified as district champs. Kvale added second-place finishes in the 400 and 400-meter hurdles and Eden Barrett was second in the 200, with the 4x200 relay also taking second. The 4x100 relay earned an at-large bid after finishing third in Friday's race in 53.02.
  
Jensen is seeded sixth in the 400-meter dash. Kvale is seeded seventh in the 800-meter run and third in the 400-meter hurdles. The 4x400 team heads into state with the third-best seed time in 2A.
  
Calmer weather opened the door for the girls to have an opportunity to lower times more, D-NH girls coach Rachael Cheeseman said.
  
"This group of girls have bought into the training program, trusted the process," Cheeseman said. "While a few may have been frustrated with their times at points this season, at this time of the season, times are dropping through their commitment."
 
D-NH girls qualifiers
 
200-meter dash: Eden Barrett
400: Alexis Jensen, Taylor Kvale
400 hurdles: Kvale
800: Kvale
4x100: Jensen, Jadyn Bennett, Alana Barrett, E. Barrett
4x200: A. Barrett, Margaret Nielsen, Bennett, E. Barrett
4x400: Addy Sohn, Bennett, Jensen, Kvale
Sprint medley: A. Barrett, Bennett, E. Barrett, Jensen
 
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